I am in my mid-fifties, and for the past four or five years, I’ve been struggling with insomnia.
Lying awake for most of the night adversely affects my mental, physical and emotional state. I work a very stressful and demanding job that requires long-hours and intense focus. Feeling exhausted is a problem. I have tried over-the-counter and prescription pharmaceuticals but these medications include serious side effects and uncertain risks. I also don’t like how they make me feel fuzzy and unfocused. For that reason, I started looking into natural remedies. After trying a variety of teas and foods and even scented sprays for my pillow, I decided to explore the potential of cannabis. I read that THC-rich strains can help people sleep but the psychoactive effects were a concern. I then researched cannabidiol or CBD, which is a non-intoxicating cannabis compound. I learned the high-CBD strains frequently contain myrcene. Myrcene is a terpene that is believed to be sedating. For centuries, herbalists have promoted hops as a sleep aid. Hops are high in myrcene levels. When I tried broad spectrum CBD products, I definitely slept a little bit better. When I finally gave in and purchased a cannabis strain with an equal ratio of CBD and THC, I fell asleep quickly and remained asleep for much longer. The entourage effect or interaction between CBD and THC works for me. I choose tinctures because they make it easy to get a precise dosage and don’t require any extra equipment for consumption. I simply place the dose under my tongue, hold it for one minute and then swallow any remaining liquid. Sublingual absorption provides rapid onset of effects.